Washboard.



M. A. HENLE. WASHBOARD. APPLIOATIOH FILED JULY 27, 19M.

Patented Mar. 9, 1909.

3%., attoznu a UNITED STATES ATENT @FFllt /E.

MARY A. HENLE, OF MARENGO, IOWA.

WASHBQARD To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, lVlARY A. HENLE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Marengo, in the county of Iowa and State of Iowa, have invented new and useful Improvements in Washboards, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates generally to washboards, and more particularly to a self-acting soa 'ng attachment therefor.

file object of the invention is to provide a novel form of soap container to be assembled with the board and to operate in such manner as that the soap will only be fed as rapidly as required; in which all of the soap will be used thereby to obviate waste; andin which the replenishing of the holder with a fresh supply of soap may be readily and easily effected. I

With the above and other objects in view, as will appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in the novel construction and combination of parts of a soap feeding attachment for wash boards as will be hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification and in which like characters of reference indicate oorresponding parts Figure 1 is a view in front elevation of a wash-board displaying more particularly the means for preventing the escape of soap from the holder. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view taken through the board and the soap feeder, showing more particularly the details of construction of the latter.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates a wash-board having a body portion 2, constituting a rubbing surface, constructed of corrugated sheet metal, and provided with an opening 3 that is spanned by a plurality of wires or bars 4 that operate to prevent waste of the soap by retaining it against projecting beyond the rubbing surface. In order to secure the maximum superficial area of rubbing surface, the latter extends to the top rail 2 of the board, and is secured thereto and to the cross brace 2 Secured to the body portion in any preferred manner, as by being soldered or riveted thereto is a rectangular box 5, which as shown in Fig. 2 is disposed at a downward incline, viewed from the top of the wash board, thus to permit it to clear the tub Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed July 27, 1907.

Patented March 9, 1909.

Serial No. 885,817.

when in use. This box will preferably be constructed of metal and its two side walls are provided in this instance with two oriices 6 that are designed to be engaged by a pair of latches 7 that are guided for movement upon a rod 8 secured in the boss or stud 9 projecting rearwardly from a false bottom 10, that is disposed in the box and is slightly less in size than the same, to facilitate its ready positioning and removal when desired. The latches 7 as shown in Fig. 2 are double L-shaped, two of the parts 11 thereof constituting finger holds for actuating the latches to withdraw them from engagement with the orifices 6. In order to cause the latches normally to project through the orilices, two coiled springs 12 are employed that bear respectively against the boss 9 and against the parts of the latches that work upon the rod 8.

Mounted within the box is a follower 13 that is engaged by a coiled spring 14 interposed between it and the false bottom 10 and-operating normally to project the for mer outward, whereby soap placed within the box or holder will be firmly held against the bars 4 and thus supply the soap to the clothes as required.

When it is desired to supply the feederwith soap, the two latches are retracted to move them out of engagement with the oriflees 6 and the false bottom 10, spring 14 and follower 13 are removed, after which the soap is positioned within the box and the parts again assembled therewith.

The improvements herein defined are simple in character, will be found thoroughly efficient for the purpose designed and will not add any objectionable cost to the production of the wash-board, but will materially enhance its utility.

hat I claim is:

1. The combination with a washboard provided with spaced bars, of a box arranged bacl: of the bars and provided with latch receiving-openings, a follower within the box, a false bottom carrying locking latches adapted to engage with the said latch-receiving openings, and a spring interposed between the follower and the false bottom.

2. The combination with a washboard, of a soap feeder comprising a box provided in its side walls with latch-receiving openings, a pair of spring pressed latches adapted to engage with said openings, a false bottom with which the latches are combined, .afol-v lower, and a spring interposed between the follower and the false bottom.

' 5 3. The combination with a washboard, of

a soap holder having oppositely alined oriflees, :a false bottom arranged vwithin the holder and carrying a rearwardly extending boss, a rod projecting through the boss, 10 latches mounted on the opposite end portions of the rod, springs on the rod and bearing againstthe latches to cause them to pro- .ject through the orifices in the holder, a follower, and. as'pring between the false bottom and the follower.

Intestimony whereof, I afliX my signature inpresence of two witnesses.

MARY A. HENLE.

-Witnesses:

A. M. LYON, J. N. MoKEE 

